Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9915295
    Abstract: A constricting clutch brake element is operable to selectively transmit mechanical power between relatively movable rotating members. A plurality of backing plates are movably mounted and selectively movable radially on an annular body of the clutch brake element. The backing plates engage a plurality of friction linings. Each backing plate is configured for usage with different numbers of torques bars to meet different torque carrying capacities, all within the same envelope size. The configuration also allows plural torque bars to be relatively positioned so that they can engagingly guide the backing plate during its radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark David Konopka
  • Patent number: 9915296
    Abstract: A return spring common structure of an automatic transmission may include a second plate set and a third plate set provided to be transversely movable in a retainer connected to a first rotating element, a second disc set and a third disc set configured to be rubbed against each plate set to connect between the first rotating element and a second rotating element, a second piston and a third piston configured to press each plate set to be rubbed against each disc set, and a common return spring configured to separate the second piston or the third piston from the second plate set or the third plate set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyung Min Kim, Kang Hoon Lee, Jae Young Jeon, Won Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 9915297
    Abstract: A clutch device has a counter-pressure plate and a contact plate which is movable to a limited extent in an axial direction of the clutch device by at least one lever element to clamp a clutch plate frictionally between the counter-pressure plate and the contact plate, wherein the counter-pressure plate has at least one strap segment extending essentially in an axial direction, to which a cover component is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Igor Loran, Christoph Raber, Christoph Wittmann
  • Patent number: 9915298
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an electromagnetic pulse disconnect assembly for selectively engaging two rotating components of a vehicle drivetrain. A disconnect assembly is needed that is not powered by vacuum diverted from an engine of the vehicle, as modern engines are being developed to reduce vacuum production and remove vacuum lines for powering peripheral devices such as disconnects. An electromagnetic pulse disconnect assembly is provided that operates via pulses of electrical current and includes an electromagnetic coil for translating a clutch ring assembly and a latching ring assembly to selectively couple two rotating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Warn Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Adrian Simula, Bryan Averill
  • Patent number: 9915299
    Abstract: A hydrostatic clutch system for dually charging the accumulators while speeding up and slowing down. The hydrostatic clutch system includes a hydraulic pump having a pump housing with openings therein; a manifold/end cover; and a fluid circuit assembly in operable communication with the hydraulic pump. The hydrostatic clutch system may be used with at least one transmission or gear set in operable communication with the hydrostatic clutch. The hydrostatic clutch system may be used to create a variable speed from a fixed input speed. The hydrostatic clutch system may also be used as a hybrid system by changing the pump into a motor for launch and for powering the vehicle with the engine disconnected using accumulated hydraulic pressure. The hydrostatic clutch system captures the resistance of the weight of the vehicle in order to make power while the vehicle is accelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Ernie Brookins, Gail Brookins
  • Patent number: 9915300
    Abstract: A wedge clutch, including: an outer carrier; a first clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the outer carrier; a wedge clutch plate; a hub radially inward of the outer carrier; an engagement assembly including a pin partially disposed within the hub and in contact with the wedge clutch plate; and an actuator. For a first synchronization stage for closing the wedge clutch: the actuator is arranged to clamp the first clutch plate and the wedge clutch plate; and a first portion of the pin extending radially outward beyond an outer circumference of the hub is arranged to transmit torque between the hub and the carrier. For a second synchronization stage for closing the wedge clutch: the hub or the wedge clutch plate are arranged to circumferentially displace with respect to each other; and the wedge clutch plate is arranged to displace the pin radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Guettinger, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 9915301
    Abstract: A one-way diode includes a first plate including a coil and cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets and a second coil, and struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil and the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 9915302
    Abstract: In a drive unit attached to a vehicle-body frame of an electric-motor-assisted bicycle including a one-way clutch including an outer member, an inner member, a plurality of clutch lugs, a plurality of springs, and a plurality of pins. Clutch teeth are located on one of an inner peripheral portion of the outer member and an outer peripheral portion of the inner member. The clutch lugs and the springs are located on the other of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion. A number of the clutch lugs is an even number not smaller than four. A number of the clutch teeth is an even number that is not a multiple of the number of the clutch lugs. A number of the springs is half the number of clutch lugs. Each spring exerts a biasing force on two of the clutch lugs that are circumferentially adjacent. Each pin is in contact with one of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 9915303
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a manual transmission, and a clutch that selectively couples the engine to the transmission. The clutch includes a disk biased to engage a flywheel of the engine, a first actuator that disengages the disk in response to depression of a clutch pedal, and a second actuator that disengages the disk in response to an electric signal from a vehicle controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Carlos Parada Centeno, Elias Aram Loza Neri, Pablo Daniel Martinez, David Michael Pariseau
  • Patent number: 9915304
    Abstract: A friction disk brake system may comprise a plurality of rotor friction disks and a plurality of stator friction disks. At least one of the friction disks may be a split disk friction disk. The split disk friction disk may comprise a first disk half and a second disk half. A carbon foam damping feature may be located between the first disk half and the second disk half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Linck
  • Patent number: 9915305
    Abstract: A friction drive arrangement includes a plurality of interleaved rotor and stator discs. An end stator disc is adjacent a reaction plate containing a plurality of cylindrical, stepped bores defining spring receptacles opening toward the end stator disc and pin guide holes opening in an opposite direction. Each receptacle contains a coil compression spring located between a bottom of the receptacle and a spring retention pin having a first end section reciprocably received in the guide hole and having a second end section defined by a large diameter foot located between an end of the spring and the end stator disc, with the foot being configured for directly engaging the end stator disc. A tool is used to retract the pins and associated springs into the associated receptacles so as to retain the springs during assembly. Excess retraction of the pins is prevented for preventing over-compression of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin B. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Patent number: 9915306
    Abstract: A rotor cover comprises a cover body and a biasing member. The cover body is configured to at least partially cover a disc brake rotor rotatable relative to a bicycle frame about a rotational center axis. The biasing member is configured to bias the cover body in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis. The biasing member is provided between the cover body and the bicycle frame in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Takafumi Nishino, Shingo Sakurai, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9915307
    Abstract: A brake for machine and method of using the brake is disclosed. The brake may comprise first and second brake linings configured to be frictionally engageable with a rail, a first biasing member configured to urge the first brake lining to engage the rail, and a first actuator configured to move the first brake lining (38) to disengage the rail when the first actuator is energized. The brake may be configured to be mounted on a machine, floor or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Adrian D. West, Daryl J. Marvin, Harold Terry
  • Patent number: 9915308
    Abstract: An electric brake device that allows reduction of generation of an operating noise without impairing a function of a brake, is provided. The electric brake device includes a brake rotor, a brake pad, an electric motor (2), a linear motion mechanism, and a controller (9). Vehicle speed detector (44) configured to detect a vehicle speed, is provided, and the controller (9) includes: a motor angular velocity control section (40) configured to control an angular velocity of the electric motor (2); and angular-velocity-corresponding-to-vehicle-speed limiting section (41) configured to limit, in a no-load state where a clearance is between the brake pad and the brake rotor, the angular velocity by the motor angular velocity control section (40) such that the lower the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detector (44) is, the lower the angular velocity of the electric motor (2) in the no-load state is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yui Masuda
  • Patent number: 9915309
    Abstract: An expansion device for drum brakes, which is floatingly and approximately centrally arranged between two substantially symmetrical brake shoes, the expansion device including at least two gear levers articulated to each other and each supported on a brake shoe, at least one of the gear levers of the expansion lock being coupled to an actuating element of an actuator system such that the brake shoes carry out an even, translationally directed expanding movement, which is converted by a gearing, in the direction of the brake drum. At least one of the gear levers of the spreader lock has a spring element integrated into it that can be elastically reversibly deformed by a brake application force about a defined elasticity ?S of at least 1 mm in a defined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Martin Gädke, Uwe Bach, Stephan Becker, Volker van Aken, Holger von Hayn, Jens Hoffmann, Ahmed Sefo, Wolfgang Ritter
  • Patent number: 9915310
    Abstract: A disc brake assembly having a carrier having a first formation on an inboard surface thereof and a caliper slideably mounted to the carrier having a second formation that is proximate to the first formation in use. The relative positions of the first formation and the second formation may be indicative of an amount of wear of a brake friction element and/or a rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mathew Morris, Vadiraj Pavaman, Norman Breakwell, Sanjeev Kulkarni, Sean Cleary
  • Patent number: 9915311
    Abstract: A torque-limiting a clutch brake is provided for an input shaft of a vehicle transmission. The clutch brake employs wave springs in its torque-limiting feature and can largely be fabricated from sheet metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Ocedek, Bradly E. Hiatt, Deevakar Kuppuswamy, Bhanu Sharma
  • Patent number: 9915312
    Abstract: A machine is on a first side of a plate (20) and a rod (50) passes along or through the plate (20). The plate (20) is susceptible to vibrations arising from operation of the machine. An active vibration suppressor (60) is mounted on the rod (50), and a controller is configured to control the active vibration suppressor (60) to suppress vibrations of the plate (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Stephen Daley, Stephen John Elliott, Emiliano Rustighi, Michelle Zilletti
  • Patent number: 9915313
    Abstract: Twin tube dampers are provided. In one embodiment, a twin tube damper includes a damping assembly, the damping assembly defining a central longitudinal axis and including an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines an inner fluid chamber, the outer tube generally surrounds the inner tube and defines an outer fluid chamber, and the outer fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The twin tube damper further includes a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston disposed within the inner fluid chamber and movable generally along the central longitudinal axis. The twin tube damper further includes a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the damping assembly, the fluid reservoir including a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane generally coaxial with the damping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cane Creek Cycling Components
    Inventors: Joshua Philip Coaplen, James Rathbun
  • Patent number: 9915314
    Abstract: System and methods for servicing and monitoring shock struts are provided. A method for servicing a shock strut may include calculating a first fluid level; generating a first datum corresponding to the first fluid level; moving fluid into the shock strut in accordance with the first datum; calculating a second fluid level; generating a second datum corresponding to the second fluid level; and storing a final fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Fazeli, Adnan Cepic, Susanne Reber
  • Patent number: 9915315
    Abstract: A valve component includes a first disk-shaped joining part and a second disk-shaped joining part. The first disk-shaped joining part has a first opening and has an elevation in a first region of the first disk-shaped joining part which runs at least partially peripherally around the first opening. The second disk-shaped joining part is joined to the first disk-shaped joining part and has a second opening which together with the first opening defines a channel for flow of a fluid medium therethrough. The second disk-shaped joining part further has a depression in a second region of the second disk-shaped joining part which runs at least partially peripherally around the second opening and which opposes the first region of the first disk-shaped joining part. The elevation interacts with the depression in sealing fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals Holdings GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Frey, Rainer Gruber
  • Patent number: 9915316
    Abstract: A system for mitigating vibration of a mass may include an elastic membrane enclosing at least one interior space and having an outer surface, where at least a bottom portion of the outer surface is coupled to a transportable supportive surface, and at least a top portion of the outer surface supports a load. The system may further include at least one port coupling the outer surface to the at least one interior space, where the port provides a source of fluid ingress into the interior space and fluid egress out of the interior space. The system may additionally include granular material distributed within the at least one interior space, where a packing density of the granular material is adjustable between a first jammed state having a first packing density of granular materials and a second jammed state having a second packing density of granular materials to accommodate different loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Kevin M. O'Connell, Chelsie M. Peterson, Mark D. Plucinski, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 9915317
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum, in particular for arrangement on a drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, has a drive ring which can be mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith, and a synchronizing ring which is freely rotatable relative to the drive ring. The axis of rotation of the drive ring and the axis of rotation of the synchronizing ring are identical. The centrifugal pendulum further includes at least one pendulum body which is mounted movably on the drive ring. The pendulum body is kinematically coupled via at least one coupling element to the synchronizing ring such that, in the event of a rotation of the synchronizing ring relative to the drive ring in a first direction, the coupling element deflects the pendulum body toward the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Ulbrich, Johannes Mayet
  • Patent number: 9915318
    Abstract: A centrifugal-pendulum vibration absorbing device disposed within a liquid chamber that stores a liquid, the centrifugal-pendulum vibration absorbing device having a support member coupled to a rotary element that is rotated by power from a drive device; and a mass body supported by the support member so as to be swingable. An order of vibration of the mass body is determined on the basis of an order of vibration to be damped generated by the drive device in consideration of at least a force caused by a centrifugal liquid pressure generated within the liquid chamber along with rotation of the drive device to act on the mass body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Yoichi Oi, Hiroki Nagai, Takayuki Miyaoka, Yuichiro Hirai, Takuya Yoshikawa, Tomonori Kinoshita, Aki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9915319
    Abstract: A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes a crankshaft (103), first and second eccentric gears (121), first and second end plates (123), a first crosslink (117) which is disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, a second crosslink which is disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate, a stator (113) disposed between the first and second eccentric gears, and a rotor (109). Preferably, the rotary actuator further includes first and second support plates (115) which are disposed concentrically about the crankshaft and which are attached to first and second surfaces of the stator, respectively. The foregoing configuration allows the stator to serve as a major structural element, which may enhance the stiffness and reduce the weight of the actuator, while simplifying many of its active components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Delbert Tesar
  • Patent number: 9915320
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission in planetary design for a vehicle includes a first shaft (1) provided as a drive (An) and a second shaft (2) provided as an output (Ab) that is arranged axially parallel to the drive. Three planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3) and additional shafts (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), along with six shifting elements (K1, K2, K3, K4, B1, B2) are provided, through which actuation of several gears is realized. Machine elements (ST1, ST2) are provided for the transfer of torque between the drive (An) and the output (Ab), whereas the first shaft (1), as a drive, is connectable to the sun gear (SR3) of the third planetary gear set (RS3), to the sun gear (SR2) of the second planetary gear set (RS2), to the planetary gear carrier (PT3) of the third planetary gear set (RS3), and is connectable or connected to the sun gear (SR1) of the first planetary gear set (RS1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9915321
    Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces at least nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets, three brakes, and either three or four clutches. One embodiment produces twelve forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios. Another embodiment produces thirteen forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Scott Lippert
  • Patent number: 9915322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an eight-speed powertrain of a vehicle automatic transmission, including first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, each having a plurality of operational elements, an input shaft connected to a second planetary carrier while power of a vehicle engine is input to the input shaft, an output shaft connected to a fourth ring gear while varied torque is output from the output shaft, a plurality of rotary shafts interconnecting the operational elements, a plurality of brakes, and a plurality of clutches selectively connecting the rotary shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai-Powertech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9915323
    Abstract: To provide a tensioner which can circulate a sufficient amount of oil even if there is a long time lag until pressurized oil starts to be supplied, and which exhibits a lower level of leak of oil stored therein, and which is structured simply without increasing the number of components therefore. The tensioner includes: a tensioner body having a plunger bore; a cylindrical plunger slidably inserted into the plunger bore; and biasing means for urging the plunger outward. When the tensioner is fixed to a wall surface, a body hole that extends from the wall surface up to a circumferential surface of the plunger bore is located lower than an oil discharge hole in the wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Munehiro Maeda, Yuji Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 9915324
    Abstract: Work vehicle includes a traveling device. A speed changing device speed-changes a driving force of the engine and transmits the speed-changed force to the traveling device. A belt transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the engine to the speed changing device. A belt tension clutch switches over the belt transmission mechanism between a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state. A brake operating tool effects a braking operation of the traveling device. A coupling mechanism activates the belt tension clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Shoji
  • Patent number: 9915325
    Abstract: A chain transmission device includes chain guides capable of guiding a chain. The chain guides include a plurality of spaced apart rollers for guiding the chain, and a distance L (m) between contact points of a trained portion of the chain is set to satisfy the following inequality: L < 1 2 ? ? MAX ? T ? , where ?MAX is a maximum excitation frequency (Hz) from a crankshaft, ? is a mass of the chain per unit length (kg/m), and T is a time-average tension of the chain (N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Takahiro Yamashita, Hisataka Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9915326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt installation tool which is to be installed so as to cover at least a part of a first side surface of a pulley, including an attaching part attached along an outer peripheral part of the pulley, an installation part brought into contact with at least a part of the first side surface, a protection part covering at least a part of the first side surface without coming into contact therewith, and a belt holding part protruding on the protection part or on the installation part, in which the protection part covers at least a part of a part having a largest distance in a vertical direction in an area located inside the part with which the installation part comes into contact in the first side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Aoki
  • Patent number: 9915327
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission having at least two sub-transmissions, each with at least one input shaft. The input shafts are arranged on an input side on an input axis. The two sub-transmissions have a single output shaft. A countershaft assembly having two countershafts aligned on a countershaft axis. A main shaft arranged on the input axis can be connected, via range groups, to the output shaft. At least one of the input shafts can connect to the output shaft via at least one of a gear plane, a shift element and the main shaft. At least three shift devices are arranged with at most one of the shift devices is arranged on the countershaft axis. The first three shift devices are arranged, relative to torque flow, downstream of the input side of the transmission on the input axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckhardt Lübke
  • Patent number: 9915328
    Abstract: A cover hub assembly for a torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a cover including: an outer surface; an inner surface; and, at least two extruded pins protruding from inner surface and symmetrical about the axis of rotation; and, a cover hub including: a cylindrical wall having: a thickness; an inner cylindrical surface, symmetrical about the axis of rotation, forming an opening; and, an outer cylindrical surface symmetrical about the axis of rotation; a cover mounting portion including at least two mating holes for receiving said extruded pins; and, at least one flow groove extending from the outer cylindrical surface to the inner cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kelli Moore, Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 9915329
    Abstract: The power transmission device transmits power from an engine to a transmission and includes an input-side rotary member, an output-side rotary member, a first elastic member, a float member and a damper device. The input-side rotary member receives the power inputted thereto from the engine. The output-side rotary member outputs the power to the transmission. The first elastic member couples the input-side rotary member and the output-side rotary member to enable relative rotation therebetween. The float member is rotatable relative to the input-side rotary member, the output-side rotary member and the first elastic member and is configured to slide against the first elastic member when rotated. The damper device is mounted to the float member and includes an inertia member that is rotatable relative to the float member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 9915330
    Abstract: A torque converter utilizes four distinct fluid passageways. The torque converter hydrodynamic chamber is supplied with fluid via a passageway that includes a gap between a stator shaft insert and a turbine shaft. Fluid returns from the hydrodynamic chamber via a passageway that is formed between a hollow stator shaft and the stator shaft insert. The torque converter includes a bypass clutch with an apply chamber and a return chamber. Fluid is routed to the apply chamber via a passageway that includes a gap between a hollow portion of the turbine shaft and a turbine shaft insert. Fluid is routed between the balance chamber and an elevated exhaust via a passageway that runs through the turbine shaft insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Gregory Daniel Goleski, David Allen Janson
  • Patent number: 9915331
    Abstract: A friction material for a clutch pad comprising: a plurality of fibers; and, a filler material including at least 0.1% and at most 100% calcium silicate particles by weight based on total weight of the filler. A friction material for a clutch comprising: a plurality of fibers; a filler material including at least 0.1% and at most 40% calcium silicate particles by weight based on total weight of the friction material; the calcium silicate particles characterized by a specific surface area of at least 40 m2/g and an average particle size of at most 60 ?m; and, a binder. In an example aspect, the calcium silicate particles are characterized by a spherical morphology. In another example aspect, the calcium silicate particles are characterized by a specific surface area of about 105 m2/g and an average particles size of about 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rashid Farahati, Murat Bakan, Babak LotfizadehDehkordi
  • Patent number: 9915332
    Abstract: A motor vehicle clutch assembly is provided. The motor vehicle clutch assembly includes a clutch pack including a first clutch plate; an axially movable piston for engaging the clutch pack; and a shock absorber fixed to the first clutch plate. The shock absorber is configured to contact the piston and elastically deform during engagement of the clutch pack by the piston to absorb torque shock from the piston. A method of forming a motor vehicle clutch assembly is also provided. The method includes providing a clutch pack including a first clutch plate; providing an axially movable piston for engaging the clutch pack; and fixing a shock absorber to the first clutch plate. The shock absorber is configured to contact the piston and elastically deform during engagement of the clutch pack by the piston to absorb torque shock from the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Seokyeol Jung
  • Patent number: 9915333
    Abstract: A differential gear mechanism incudes a differential casing. A first and a second side gear can be rotatably mounted within the differential casing. A pair of pinion gears can be mounted between the first and second side gears. Both of the pinion gears can be rotatably mounted on a cross shaft that is fixed for rotation with the differential casing. A clutch pack can include a plurality of annular plates that are interleaved between a plurality of annular friction disks. The clutch pack can be arranged on a first side of the cross shaft. An actuator assembly can comprise a piston received in a piston housing. The actuator assembly can be configured to actuate the clutch pack. The actuator assembly can be arranged on a second side of the cross shaft, opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel P. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9915334
    Abstract: A method and system providing a flex spline for a compound harmonic generator having a harmonic wave generator, a primary ring gear, and a secondary ring gear, includes a primary flex spline with a first number of primary teeth, the primary flex spline driven by the harmonic wave generator and in meshed contact with the primary ring gear, and at least one secondary flex spline with a second number of secondary teeth, the at least one secondary flex spline driven by the harmonic wave generator and in meshed contact with the secondary ring gear, wherein the at least one secondary flex spline rotates independently from the primary flex spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derick S. Balsiger, Nicholas R. Van De Veire
  • Patent number: 9915335
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mechanical component made of steel including a surface-hardening phase. The method includes creating a rough form of the component with regions to be hardened, then successive case hardening with cooling without quenching, heating to an austenitizing temperature of the steel by induction heating the zones, and quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HISPANO SUIZA
    Inventor: Florence Enghels
  • Patent number: 9915336
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket comprises a first sprocket body, a first shifting facilitation area, a plurality of first chain-driving teeth, and a first outer diameter. The second sprocket comprises a second sprocket body, a plurality of second chain-driving teeth, a second outer diameter, and a support protuberance. The support protuberance protrudes from the second sprocket body toward the first sprocket. The support protuberance is provided in a circumferential support area on the second sprocket. The circumferential support area is configured to face a circumferential area on the first sprocket in an axial direction. The circumferential area extends from a third tooth to a fifth tooth in a circumferential direction with respect to a rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Yasufumi Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 9915337
    Abstract: A usage measuring device measures usage of a gear transmission. The usage measuring device is provided with an oscillation cycle measuring unit and a comparing unit. The oscillation cycle measuring unit measures an oscillation cycle of a state signal indicating at least one of a rotational state of an input unit side and a rotational state of an output unit side of the gear transmission. The comparing unit compares a first oscillation cycle measured during an initial operating period of the gear transmission, and a second oscillation cycle measured after the gear transmission has operated for a predetermined time. The oscillation cycle measuring unit measures the first oscillation cycle and the second oscillation cycle of the state signal after the gear transmission has stopped driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: FANUC CORPORATION, NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Souichi Arita, Masahiro Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 9915338
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a continuous belt may include an outer surface having a first edge spaced apart from a second edge defining a belt width, and a first wear indication positioned on the outer surface near the first edge and having a first width, the first width is less than the belt width, and the first width represents the amount of allowable wear of the continuous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicole M Gassman, Lourens M Jacobs, Allan N Schott
  • Patent number: 9915339
    Abstract: A drive force transmission device is provided with a motor shaft, a transmission input shaft, a drive side sprocket, a resolver rotor and a cylindrical resolver retainer. The motor shaft is configured to be connected to a motor rotor of a motor. The driving force transmission shaft is coaxially connected to the motor shaft. The oil pump sprocket is provided on the driving force transmission shaft for rotating an oil pump. The resolver rotor is disposed on the motor shaft adjacent the oil pump sprocket for detecting a rotational position of the motor. The cylindrical resolver retainer is coaxially disposed on the motor shaft to fix the resolver rotor to the motor shaft. The resolver retainer includes a stopper that forms an axial positioning surface for the resolver rotor by contacting an end portion of the motor shaft, and an axial position limiting surface of the oil pump sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Takagi, Kazuhiro Miyachi
  • Patent number: 9915340
    Abstract: A housing for a steering gear and a plastic housing, wherein the plastic housing comprises a base body made of a plastic material, and elastomer layer and at least one closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 9915341
    Abstract: A geared drive assembly (10) comprising the driven gear (12) arranged to mesh with the driving gear (14) and a rotary actuator operatively connected to the driving gear (14) by the pulley belt (22) engaging with an first pulley wheel (18) of the rotary actuator and a second pulley wheel (24) rigidly and coaxially connected to the driving gear (14), wherein the pulley belt (22) comprises first (26) and second (28) pulley belt portions extending between the first (18) and second (24) pulley wheels, wherein the first pulley belt portion (26) is maintained, in use, under tension, and wherein the second pulley belt portion (28) is slack, in use. Advantages of the invention, compared with known anti-backlash gearboxes, include: significant weight reductions, reduced complexity, reduced drag, smaller motor sizes, reduced part count, reduced play and backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Paul Alexander Geissler
  • Patent number: 9915342
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes an ECU. The ECU stores a N?1 speed downshift/a N?2 speed downshift/a N?1 speed upshift/and a hysteresis lines. The hysteresis line is a predetermined distance above the N?1 speed upshift line, and is below the N?2 speed downshift line. The ECU controls the speed of the automatic transmission based on a quantity of state of a vehicle, and the plurality of stored shift lines, and execute, when an N speed is established, a first downshift that changes a speed from the N speed to an N?2 speed, when the quantity of state of the vehicle is in a region above the hysteresis line, after the quantity of state of the vehicle has risen above the N?1 speed downshift line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koshiro Kosaka, Seiji Kuwahara, Takahiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 9915343
    Abstract: A road surface friction coefficient calculator is to detect a coefficient of friction on a road surface. A braking force calculator is to detect the braking force of a vehicle. A decelerating calculator is to determine whether the vehicle transitions to a decelerating travel mode. The pulley pressure controller is to control pulley pressure in a belt-driven continuously variable transmission. The pulley pressure controller is to increase the pulley pressure by an additional amount when the decelerating calculator determines the vehicle transitions to the decelerating travel mode while the coefficient of friction detected by the road surface friction coefficient calculator is equal to or lower than a reference value. The pulley pressure controller is to reduce the additional amount when the braking force calculator detects an increase in the braking force in the decelerating travel mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Takemori
  • Patent number: 9915344
    Abstract: The invention is to suppress the increase of axial lengths of each input shaft and each output shaft and increase the number of gear shift stages. A transmission device transmits a driving force of a crankshaft from a first transmission to a drive wheel side through a second transmission. The first transmission is provided with a first countershaft to which the driving force from the crankshaft is transmitted, and a first drive shaft to which the driving force of the first countershaft is transmitted. The second transmission is provided with a second countershaft to which the driving force of the first drive shaft is transmitted, and a second drive shaft to which the driving force of the second countershaft is transmitted and which transmits the driving force to the drive wheel side. The first and second transmissions are disposed side by side in a front/rear direction. Each of the first and second transmissions is set to have a plurality of gear shift stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Takahashi